Jewish-Arab showdown in northern Israel scheduled for Tuesday

Monday, March 23, 2009 |
Israel Today Staff

A group of 100 Israeli Jews will march with Israeli flags through a northern Israel Arab town known for its hostility toward the Jewish state on Tuesday.

The demonstration is the result of a Supreme Court decision allowing the organizers to exercise their freedom of speech. The group had wanted to march in the Lower Galilee town of Umm el-Fahm during the pre-election campaigns, but was denied permission by police for security reasons.

The demonstrators argue that if Arab citizens of Israel can gather in Jewish population centers carrying the flags of enemy nations and terrorist organizations, then they should be permitted to march in Arab towns carrying the flag of their own country.

But they will meet violent opposition.

Arab leaders in northern Israel put out the call last week for thousands of Israeli Arabs to descend on Umm el-Fahm and physically block the demonstrating Jews.

Security for the demonstration is expected to be boosted after a right-wing Knesset member announced his intention to lead the march.

Want more news from Israel?Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates